Phonograph



P. B. DELANY.

4 PHONOGRAPH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-12,1912.

Patented Aug. 1, 1916.

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PATRICK B. DELANY, OF NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS.

PHONOGJRJAPH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Septemberlt, 1912. Serial No. 719,909.

To all whom it may concern: J

Be it known that I, PATRICK B. DELANY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nantucket, county of Nantucket, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Phonographs, of which the follow ing is a specification.

My invention relates to treatment of the surface of records for their protection and improvement when new and their improvement when old and worn. For this purpose I coat the record with graphite.

The records, whether disk, cylindrical, or of other formation may be coated with graphite in any appropriate way. The best results may be obtained with pure graphite. When graphite, in the form of a stick or block is used to coat the record, it is preferable that the stick be composed of pure graphite plus the feasible minimum of binding material. The block or stick of graphite, held in a suitable support so that it will bear upon the surface of the record that is revolving with the table or support of an ordinary reproducing machine, acts to coat the surface, and the reproducing needle running in the channels or grooves of the record acts as a distributer of the graphite that brings it into intimate relation withthe surfaces of said grooves. It is well known that graphite is an eflicient lubricant and that its lubricating qualities depend upon its capability of attenuated distribution and filling the pores of surfaces to which it is applied. These characteristics afford very markedly improved results in the reproduction of musical tones and spoken words from a graphite coated record.

1 Even the needle, whether it be of steel or other composition, becomes surface coated and filled with the graphite. The general result is that there is a reduction of friction, and a characteristic smoothness of contact between the surfaces of the needle and record that causes objectionable sounds ordinarily present to bet-eliminated. Experience has demonstrated that in addition to the zontally projecting plate spring 11. that caradvantages above suggested static electrical effects due to frictional contact of the needle and record are eliminated or dissipated where the record is coated with graphite which is a fair conductor of electricity. Furthermore, there is less likelihood of dust or floating particles of any kind adhering to the graphite coated record than there is in the case of the ordinary uncoated record.

The surface of the record being covered with graphite is divested of its electro-static capaclty for the reason that the graphite instead of being an insulator is a conductor and therefore does not attract floating particles or hold them when lodged by gravitation. Rubber, sealing wax or glass when rubbed with dry fabric will hold a static charge, but if any of them be coated with a conductlng material their static capacity is dissipated.

The graphite may be applied to new or old records by placing the record in a reproducing machine and revolving the disk in contact with a stick or block of graphite held in the hand or mounted upon an arm carried by the needle head which arm may be resilient so as to press the block yieldingly against the record.

Patented Aug. f, T916;

. The accompanyin drawing shows a pracway. At one end'it is attached to. the re producer diaphragm d, and at the other is equipped with an ordinary needle head or holder e, the needle receiving slot 1 Fig. 1

being indicated by dotted lines. The needle clamping screw is marked 9.

The attachment by which graphite may be applied to the record is constructed "as follows: It has a body or. head-block h in one end of which is fixed a pin f that enters the needle slot of the reproducer arm and is clamped therein. In the other end of the block, and in line with the'pin f, is a recess 7' adapted to receive an ordinary reproducer needle is held therein by a clamp screw 27%. At the top block it has a flat face to which is adjustably attached a laterally or horiries at its free end a graphite holder 0 having a vertical bore and a clamp screw p. In the holder is adjustably clamped a rod or pencil of graphite q. Vertical adjustment of the graphite rod varies'the tension imposed on spring n and so regulates pressure of the rod upon the grooved surface of therecord. The spring 11. may be adjusted, by

turning it about its clamping screw 1", so that the graphite rod may be caused to bear upon the record in desired relation to the path of the needle is. Preferably the graphite rod is caused to bear on the record somewhat inside of the needle, that is nearer to the axis of the disk.'

The graphite rod is of such thickness or diameter as to cover a number of the grooves of the record, and as the latter revolves fine particles are ground from the rod and deposited in the grooves. The needle following in such grooves as they come around distributes the graphite therein and rubs it into the operating surfaces thereof.

I claim:

'1. An attachment for applying graphite or other appropriate solid lubricant to a i 2. In a talking machine, the combination of a finished revolving record, a reproducing needle, and means controlled by said machine for distribution of a lubricant on the record in the path of the needle whereby said needle will rub the lubricant into intimate contact with the record lines or grooves as the latter traverses the record.

3. In a talking machine, the combination with the reproducing arm, a needle holder carried thereby, a piece of solid lubricant, and means for yieldingly supporting it on the needle holder. a

4:. In a talking machine the combination with the reproducer arm, of a spring pivotally connected therewith to move about a vertical axis, means for holding the spring in its adjusted position, and a lubricant holder carried by said spring and which presses the lubricant against the record.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

PATRICK B. DELANY.

Witnesses:

ANNIE P. RrrENoUR, JANIE P. OAUNTO. 

